The Coffeepot Fire is 14,081 acres with 79% Containment
- Size: 14,081 acres
- Cause: Lightning
- Email: 2024.coffeepot.ca@firenet.gov
- Incident Website: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caknp coffeepot-fire
- Start Date: Monday, August 3, 2024, at 10:05 AM
- Percent Contained: 79%
- Personnel: 731
CONTENT PROVIDED BY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM
NOTE: We have edited the content to exclude information that is pertinent to social media users only. Additions by the Three Rivers Together team are in brackets.
CURRENT SITUATION: Southern Area Complex Incident Management Team Two assumed command of the Coffee Pot Fire at 7:00 a.m. this morning, Sunday, September 15th. Due to the current condition and successes on the ground, the incident is no longer being managed in unified command with CalFire.
Yesterday, firefighters continued to make progress in the northeastern section of the fire. Crews worked on the control line in the steep terrain on the north side of Horse Creek and continued to monitor and mop-up the lines from the East Fork Kaweah River to Scratch Creek. Crews around the remainder of the fire perimeter continued to hold and patrol the lines, backhaul unneeded equipment, and mop-up farther into the burned area. Crews also worked in the communities along Mineral King Road; chipping smaller materials, and removing snags and hazardous trees as a part of contingency planning.
Today, firefighters will continue handline construction around Horse Creek and monitor the fire as it slowly consumes fuel inside the control lines. Aircraft will continue to support the work on the ground, dropping water to cool hot spots where needed. Crews will continue mop-up efforts; gridding for hot spots and cutting and piling debris to secure the line on the southern, western, and northwestern perimeter of the fire. Contingency work will also continue along Mineral King Road east to Silver City.
WEATHER: A strong low-pressure system will move over the region tomorrow. Ahead of that transition expect a slight decrease in temperature today, with colder conditions overnight. Tomorrow, cold weather will move into place, dropping temperatures well below normal for this time of year. There will be a slight chance of light precipitation (snow possible above 8,000 feet), but a better chance exists later in the week.
SMOKE IMPACTS: Expect similar conditions today as yesterday throughout the outlook area. Hammond will continue to see MODERATE air quality conditions, while areas far north and south of the fire will be in GOOD air quality today. Areas in the Owens Valley can expect MODERATE air quality conditions today, with a majority of the smoke impacts being from the fires to the south of the Coffee Pot fire. For more information on current wildfire smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov.
[NOTE FROM THREE RIVERS TOGETHER: For additional information on the air quality in Three Rivers locations, visit Purple Air. A monitor has recently been installed on South Fork.]
EVACUATION NOTICES: The Tulare County Fire Department has issued Evacuation WARNINGS for zones TLC-E094-B, TLC-E094-C, TLC-E094-D, TLC-E094-E, and TLC-E095. To find your zone, please refer to: protect.genasys.com.
[NOTE FROM THREE RIVERS TOGETHER: Because people have found the Genasys map challenging, the Three Rivers Together team has been creating a map that includes the community boundaries, structures, and familiar landmarks. To view this map, go to https://3rtogether.org/map/.]
FIRE INFORMATION: A Public Information Officer will be at the Three Rivers Village Market daily from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM to provide fire information and answer questions.
BLM AND PARK CLOSURES: The portion of South Fork Drive in Sequoia National Park and trails accessed from the road, including the Lady Bug and Garfield Grove Trails, are closed until further notice. You can view all Park closure information online at nps.gov/seki . The Bureau of Land Management has also issued a closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area at blm.gov/press-release.
PUBLIC NOTICE: Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.